They returned to the bus in a quieter formation than before, the weight of the columbarium still lingering behind their steps.
Mrs. Posh stood near the front seat as they climbed in.
"Well?" she asked lightly, hands folded. "How did it go?"
Ji-Ho shrugged first, already heading toward a seat. "It was… quiet. That's all I can say."
Mi-Sook clicked her tongue as she passed. "It was unnecessarily long."
Mrs. Posh gave her a calm look. "Respect is never unnecessary."
Mi-Sook rolled her eyes but didn't argue further.
Ji-Bok yawned as he stepped in last. "Same dead atmosphere as expected."
Eun-Woo ignored him completely.
Mrs. Posh tilted her head again. "And when did I arrive?"
A few students blinked.
Ji-Ho frowned slightly. "Weren't you just… with us?"
Mrs. Posh smiled faintly. "Exactly."
That made them fall silent for a moment before they slowly accepted it and settled into their seats.
The bus engine started.
And they moved again.
This time, the ride was quieter.
Mi-Sook broke it first, arms crossed.
"This whole trip is pointless. We saw the ashes, now we're going to her house too? For what?"
Mrs. Posh answered without looking back. "To show respect. And to understand."
Mi-Sook scoffed. "Understand what? Death?"
Mrs. Posh replied calmly, "Sometimes yes."
That shut her up—barely.
Ji-Ho sat by the window again, head resting on his palm. His eyes drifted sideways.
Ji-Woo was sitting a few seats away.
Looking down.
Silent.
Still.
Ji-Ho blinked once, then looked away quickly like he hadn't been staring at all.
Ji-Woo didn't notice.
Or pretended not to.
She only sighed softly and adjusted her hands in her lap.
After a while, the bus slowed.
The streets outside became familiar.
A rotating gate.
A small compound.
A warm-looking house.
The bus stopped.
"We're here," Mr. Yoo-Joon said.
They all stepped down.
The air outside felt warmer somehow.
The house stood quietly in front of them—simple, lived-in, with a faint smell of home-cooked food drifting even outside the gate.
Mrs. Han was already waiting at the door.
She opened it gently and smiled.
"Oh… you're the visitors we were expecting."
Mr. Yoo-Joon bowed slightly. "Yes. Thank you for receiving us."
Mrs. Han stepped aside. "Please come in."
They entered and sat in the living room.
Cushions neatly arranged. Calm lighting. A quiet home that didn't feel empty, even now.
Mr. Yoo-Joon spoke carefully. "We are here regarding a tragic incident involving your daughter, Kim Ji-Soo… and one of our students."
Mrs. Han's gaze slowly shifted.
And landed on Ji-Woo.
The room softened into silence.
Ji-Woo looked back at her.
No movement.
Just recognition sitting heavily in the space between them.
Then Mrs. Han exhaled softly.
"…They were right," she murmured.
"You really do look just like her."
Ji-Woo's fingers tightened slightly on her lap. She gave a small nod. "I hear that a lot…"
Mi-Sook leaned back, unimpressed. "Of course she does. They're identical."
Mrs. Han didn't respond to her tone. She just smiled faintly.
"Would you like anything?" she asked.
Eun-Woo spoke immediately. "Water, please."
Mrs. Han nodded. "For you?"
He shook his head. "For her."
He glanced slightly at Ji-Woo.
Mrs. Han's expression softened.
"Min-Ju," she called gently toward the kitchen. "Could you bring water for the guests?"
A voice answered from inside. "Coming."
Mrs. Posh blinked slightly. "Min-Ju?"
Mrs. Han nodded. "Ji-Soo's best friend. He stayed here so often… he became like family."
Just then, footsteps approached.
Min-Ju stepped out holding a glass of water.
He paused briefly when he saw everyone.
Then his eyes stopped on Ji-Woo.
Not surprised.
Not confused.
Just certain.
He walked straight to her.
Ji-Woo looked up slowly.
Their eyes met.
Min-Ju held out the glass.
"You look like you've been standing in heat too long," he said simply.
Ji-Woo hesitated, then took it. "Thank you…"
Mi-Sook narrowed her eyes. "How did you know she needed it?"
Min-Ju turned his gaze briefly to her, then back to Ji-Woo.
"She has the same face Ji-Soo makes when she forgets to drink water," he said quietly.
Eun-Woo blinked. "That… is oddly specific."
Min-Ju didn't respond further.
Just stepped back slightly.
Mrs. Han watched them for a moment, then spoke gently. "Ji-Woo… can I speak with you for a moment?"
Ji-Woo stood slowly. "Yes."
She followed Mrs. Han toward the side of the room.
The rest stayed seated.
Min-Ju glanced around. "Anyone else need anything?"
"No," Mi-Sook replied flatly.
Ji-Ho shook his head.
Ji-Bok stretched slightly. "I'm good."
Min-Ju gave a small nod and leaned against the wall nearby, quiet now.
In a smaller space near the hallway, Mrs. Han lowered her voice.
"Ji-Soo isn't at home right now," she said softly. "She went out earlier to run errands."
Ji-Woo blinked. "She went out?"
Mrs. Han nodded. "If she comes back while you're still here… it might be overwhelming."
Ji-Woo nodded slowly. "Then we should leave soon."
Behind them, Mi-Sook's voice cut in sharply from the living room.
"I heard that. We should go."
She crossed her arms. "No need to linger."
Ji-Woo exhaled quietly. "It's fine. I'll tell them."
She turned and walked back.
They were all sitting, waiting talking among themselves.
"We should leave now sir, I think we're done here.. right?." she said to Mr. Yoo-Joon.
He nodded once. "Understood."
Everyone began standing.
Mrs. Posh bowed politely to Mrs. Han. "Thank you for your time."
Ji-Ho followed with a small nod. "Thank you."
Eun-Woo added softly, "We appreciate your hospitality."
Ji-Bok gave a lazy half-bow. "Yeah… thanks."
Then—
Mrs. Han stepped forward slightly.
Ji-Bok was the closest.
Without hesitation, she lifted her hand and gently patted his head.
Just once.
Soft.
Natural.
Ji-Bok froze.
Not in resistance—just surprise.
For a second, he didn't move at all.
Then slowly, his shoulders relaxed… like something unfamiliar had settled over him.
"…Huh," he muttered quietly.
Mrs. Han smiled gently but said nothing.
She lowered her hand.
Ji-Bok stepped back.
No teasing this time.
Just quieter than before.
Finally, they all turned toward the exit.
Ji-Woo paused at the doorway.
She looked back at Mrs. Han and Min-Ju.
Min-Ju gave her a small nod.
Mrs. Han smiled softly.
Ji-Woo returned the nod.
Then turned away.
And followed the others out.